11/28/15

Hi Friends,
It's been a while since I've updated the blog but if for nothing other than posterity's sake, I wanted to post here the video of my recent TED Talk. The talk is titled "Silent No More: Resurrecting Dead Languages." You can view it on YouTube or just below. I hope you find it interesting and helpful. Blessings!

10/30/15

It has become somewhat of a tradition to repost here on my blog a piece I wrote a few years back regarding the relationship between Christians and Halloween. In fact, this will be the seventh year in a row for reposting this entry. Each year I have posted this, great conversation has been sparked and I hope that the same will be true this year. So, if you are a Christian who is debating whether or not Halloween is right for you and your family, please, check out this post because it may just help you out. Happy reading!

It's not uncommon these days in North America to find some Christian somewhere who makes it their agenda to moderate and critique holidays. Currently, this can be illustrated by a simple perusing of Godtube.com, where a ridiculous debate is going on between those who call themselves believers. Some think it is okay to celebrate Halloween and others do not. Those who do not, as you might expect, label those who do as "un-Christian", "satanic", "worldly", "secular", etc. I can't help but laugh on the one hand and be heart-broken on the other. Clearly, too many people who act as though they are holier-than-thou, are over zealous and under informed. Their logic isn't even clear most of the time!

So, how does one who calls themselves a Christian counter people who act too pious? Well, the place to begin is to rethink Halloween. In fact, it might not even be "re" thinking as much as "thinking in the first place". For example, it is helpful to know that Halloween doesn't have its origins in a secular holiday, no, it can be traced back to Christian roots; it was a Christian holiday celebrated by the Celts (e.g. All Saints' / Souls' Day or Hallow's Eve)--even though the Celts were considered by many to be barbaric. Even more than that, and perhaps, more importantly, it goes back to the end-of-summer Celtic celebration called Samhain, an agricultural festival. This was the time when people would soak up the "light" and prepare for the "dark" winter months. It was a time to celebrate agricultural fruits and goods before the harsh winter came and killed everything. Hmm, so, it was more about life than death in some ways, right? Yes!

So, the over-zealous evangelists who argue that this is a satanic ritual, a celebration of death, etc., need to chill out a bit. I sense that many Christians have a problem with all of the ghoulish attire on the one hand and the supposed celebration of death on the other. Well, as for the ghoulish attire, we may recall that in earlier centuries, the Church actually used ghouls and whatnot to ward off evil spirits. Many modern church buildings still have gargoyles on them. As for the celebration of death, I think too many people have over-played this whole idea. I mean, those of us who have lost loved ones, there are certain times of year and certain things we do to commemorate their memory: We think of them, look at pictures, share stories, go to graveyards, etc. None of this is considered evil, satanic or un-Christian.

On a similar note, some suggest that by celebrating death we are nullifying the resurrection. This is simply not true. First of all, Christians commemorate Christ's death (and resurrection) in communion; Christ Himself bade us to do this. Second of all, to remember the deceased is clearly not the same thing as worshipping them or celebrating death itself. It is this point that I feel many are missing. In missing this point, one Christian accuses another and everything just becomes ridiculous or, no joke intended, even "evil" and "nasty" and "ghoulish".

In the 19th century, when Halloween migrated to North America from Europe, it was not a "devilish" holiday still. For example, the whole custom of "jack-o-lanterns", a pumpkin with a candle inside, was meant to resemble the soul of a lost one who might be waiting in purgatory. It was meant as a reminder to pray for that person or to simply, remember them. But it was also meant to be a symbol of celebration, of celebrating that person's life on earth. So, people would be merry and jolly and walk through the streets singing, sometimes even with bands. Often, this turned into a type of parade. Still, the custom existed that, if you have a jack-o-lantern on your porch, it was not just a memorabilia thing, it was a "message" too; a message to others that your loved one might need prayer or that you might need help appeasing God with gifts for that person's soul. So, people began leaving gifts, nickels, dimes, quarters, etc. next to the pumpkins.

As time progressed, people, usually youths, began stealing these monies (which kind of became an expectation after a while) and run to the stores to buy treats and candies. Now, it's not too big of a step from this "thieving" to marauding and causing trouble--eventually, that's exactly what began to happen! Today, that's what much of Halloween has come to stand for and symbolize: pranks, danger, stealing, causing trouble, marauding, etc. And if there is anything to be against as a Christian, when it comes to Halloween, these types of things are it!

In a world where holidays have become increasingly domesticated (e.g. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.), it seems as though Halloween is the one night, the one holiday, where youths can go out, act crazy and try to subvert the holiday norm(s)! This too, should give us pause! Not only should it give us pause for negative reasons but maybe positive ones too: Maybe we should stop watering down and domesticating all of our meaningful holidays!

So, in the end, there is no good reason for Christians to call each other names or to accuse persons of satanic or whatever. Just as well, there is no reason that Christian children should not be able to go out for candy, dress up and have fun. There is nothing evil about this. I would also say that our kids do not have to be "evangelistic" and dress up as Bible characters, etc. (though there is certainly nothing wrong with them being Bible characters). One last thought: Perhaps this holiday which is so often associated with darkness and evil, brings out the darkness and evil that reside in the hearts of many who call themselves believers. Yes, the name calling, the slandering, the hatred, etc. is all evil and it is all illogical. In my view, Halloween can be a profitable holiday, if for nothing else, to subvert those types of attitudes, a subversion done with merriment and tasty candy!

4/9/15

Recently, David Mathis, who serves in a pastoral position at Cities Church in St. Paul and is editor on John Piper’s Desiring God website, wrote a blog post titled “You Can’t Arrest the Gospel.” In that entry he asserted that Christians in America are beginning to see lots of social unrest aimed at them. For example, many Christian business owners are beginning to bear the brunt of the homosexualist agenda. In addition, Mathis urges all Christians to be ready for this and exhorts them not to complain and bellyache about it.

I think there are a handful of commendable points made throughout the article but, to be quite honest, the post was a bit frustrating to read as well. Indeed, the exhortation often sounded like a call to inaction when faced with discrimination or persecution. Here are a few of the comments made:

“The Scriptures seem to suggest we should be more concerned if we’re not being persecuted, than if we are.”

“Embracing persecution for the sake of the gospel is Christianity 101.”

“…arrest and advance go together in God’s invincible story.”

“We have great cause to be optimistic about our good news, to ‘joyfully accept’ prison and the plundering of our possessions and even our freedoms.”

Taken together, these remarks seem to border on the call to seek persecution. Yet, that comment is never explicitly made, so, I won’t force the point. However, these statements also certainly do make a point rather implicitly, namely, that it in our current circumstances it is wrong and perhaps, even cowardly, for Christians to try to prevent or flee persecution. That is the tone and tenor of the article and I take some issue with it. I think that, given our current circumstances, a more robust understanding of the Christian response to legal discrimination (a form of persecution) is needed.

It is often suggested that because the homosexualists (i.e. gays and gay agenda advocates) are supposedly a “minority,” they have little power and lack the ability to persecute. This, however, is a myth on both accounts. While the number of homosexuals may be a small demographic, there are many homosexualists who support the movement and cause. With the president of our country on their side and the media constantly pushing the ideology upon society, this group may, in fact, be the most powerful contingency in America.

In addition, I should say here that it is simply false that a minority cannot discriminate, persecute, or hold power over a majority. One only needs to look at ISIS or the Taliban to prove this. Or, one only needs to look at the playground bully or small group of bullies who keep everyone in the schoolyard on their heels. Minorities are very often the aggressors and, in social-scientific speak, prone to and known for using outside pressure type tactics as agents of change. So, again, this is simply false logic and neither history nor common sense can bear the weight of such a claim.

But moving on, I want to suggest that, as a Christian, my understanding is that all humans are made in the image of God. Some live into the image; others do not. Regardless of whether or not one lives into that image, however, I believe that all humans have certain inherent human rights. In my view, the right to religious freedom is as essential as the right to education, food, water, and housing. And this is one of the places where so many would disagree with me. Indeed, some view religious freedom as an evil that needs to be eradicated from the face of the earth. What they fail to realize, however, is that even their ability to hold that religious view, cloaked in anti-religious language and garb, is ultimately the result of religious freedom. And as for me, I am willing to allow my neighbors to hold that view; yet, the ironic thing is that they are often not willing to afford me the same…because I am religious, and because I am Christian.

At the same time, I am also willing to allow people to choose their own sexual preference. I do not hold the view that, as a Christian, I must force my theology of sexuality or my morals upon them. But again, at the same time, they should be willing to let me have my views. There should be space enough to let me disagree with certain sexual actions and activities. And there should be space enough for us, in the midst of that, to be able to disagree and still live alongside one another.

But this is precisely where the problems begin to surface. While I may be willing to afford persons the space and right to choose their religion and their sexual preference, while I may be willing to afford them the space and right to choose which ideology and lifestyle to abide by, those same tenets are not granted to me. As a Christian, I am told that anything less than the actual support and celebration of the lifestyle amounts to bigotry, hate, hatefulness, and inhumanity. And the crazy thing is, if I try to turn the tables, I get ostracized even more. If I say, for example, “But why aren’t you affording me the same space and rights to choose…” I get put on blast.

This is why we are seeing bakers, florists, and photographers who, of the Christian persuasion, are being taken to court and having their livelihoods demolished. This is nothing more than bigotry in the opposite direction! There is nothing fair about me letting you speak and disagree with me but when it comes my turn to speak, you silencing me!

In spite of the fact that Christian discrimination is occurring on the frontlines of bakeries and floral shops, which seems rather lighthearted, the matter is certainly a serious one. And now Christians are beginning to ask: “What can I do to defend myself and my livelihood?” And some are even asking: “Is it cowardly to, as a Christian, stand up for my rights and engage in the legal process? Isn’t that putting my trust in humans rather than God?”

I want to suggest that it is anything but cowardly to defend oneself and one’s livelihood in a non-violent manner. The tools of reason, logic, theologic, and law are all good resources to assist in doing this. And further, there is nothing cowardly at all about employing these, even in the context of civil and legal matters. This is not a form of simply avoiding persecution, though it may be a means of preventing it…which is a good thing.

It is simply foolhardy to imply that because the Gospel flourishes in the midst of persecution we should welcome it with open arms. Indeed, when ISIS wipes out an entire city of Christians there’s nobody left there to share the Gospel. And if, in America, Christians simply sit back and keep silent when confronted with social, legal, and political issues like this, they may well find that, in time, they’ll have totally lost their voice.

Preventing and avoiding persecution has scriptural precedent. For me the likes of Jesus slipping out of the crowd or venturing away from the crowds (e.g. Mt 4, 12; Jn 7, 8, 10) and Joseph and Mary heading to Egypt (Mt 2) come to mind. Elijah hid (1 Kgs 19) and Paul did too (Acts 9; 2 Cor 11). Likewise, Jesus did defend himself at one point during his trial (Jn 18) and so did Paul (Acts 16, 22, 25). In fact, Paul made good use of his legal knowledge to do so. I could give more examples but these will suffice.

I think there are two things to bear in mind when considering preventing and avoiding persecution: 1) Motive; and 2) Action. With regard to the first of these, the motive must always either be a) To advance the Gospel; and/or b) To stop an injustice. The action must always be peaceable and non-violent. If one is seeking to prevent or avoid persecution with the end-result that it will be advantageous for the Gospel, then it is valid. And if it is to prevent an injustice, such as an infringement upon a human right, then it is valid. And again, the action must always be peaceable and non-violent.

So, when it comes to Christian business owners who happen to be faced with the powers of the homosexualist machine that may want to bring them and their livelihoods to the ground because they do not condone gay marriage, an act of non-violent retaliation is permitted against such discrimination. This is permitted because it is an infringement upon a human right. This is also permitted because such an act may well help advance the Gospel. Part of that Gospel is the teaching that homosexual activity is wrong. And always in our demeanor we must be peaceable and non-violent. And rest-assured, being peaceable does not simply mean being silent; no, one can argue aggressively and strongly, and one can use the resources of logic, theologic, etc., to counter argue. This does not mean being silent. It simply means not retaliating with violence or force.

Here at the end, I would suggest that no Christian should seek persecution. Just as well, I would argue that it is right and good and just and holy to celebrate when persecution can be and is avoided. In fact, we should seek that and, at this point in our history, seek it aggressively.

4/6/15

As some of you may have seen, there is a meme floating around the internet at the moment that, in the wake of recent debates about Indiana's RFRA bill, is encouraging Christians to think about baking wedding cakes for gay marriages, a bit differently. This blog post, written by a certain Mrs. Kantrowitz, who has some seminary and ministry background, appeals to Matthew 5:41 to make its point. Yet, there are a few questions I have concerning this post and its conclusions. Here, then, I'd like to speak about those.)

To begin, I think it is important to consider the broader literary context so that we can more accurately acknowledge that and how Mt 5:41 is actually situated within the immediate context of Mt 5:38-42 (NB: Kantrowitz does refer to some of these verses). In fact, 5:38-42 is but part of the 5:38-48, which is part of 5:1-7:29. In the interest of the discussion, I've provided here the Greek (the original language of the New Testament) of the immediate context (i.e. 5:38-42) and a good English translation:

5:38 - "You have heard it said, 'Eye in exchange for an eye' and 'tooth in exchange for a tooth.'
5:39 - But I myself say to you, 'Never exchange stances with the evil person; but, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him also the other one.
5:40 - And to the one wanting to make judgments against you and to take your inner garment, relinquish to him also your outer garment.
5:41 - And whoever may force you to go one mile, go with him two.
5:41 - To the one asking you, give, and the one wanting to borrow money from you, do not turn away.'"

The next thing to be noted is that within the even broader scope of Matthew's account, these comments come within the famed "Sermon on the Mount." The sermon or speech that Jesus is giving is a major section within the Matthean narrative. Throughout this speech Jesus alludes to, riffs on, and offers explanations of certain Old Testament (OT) passages. In the space of Mt 5:38-41, Jesus riffs on at least two OT passages: Lam 3:30 and Lev 19:18. While we could likely cite more references here (indeed, the Lex talionis is in view!), these two are at the forefront of the discussion. Lam 3:30 says, "Let he himself give a cheek to the one striking, let him be filled with reproach..." and Lev 19:18 says, "And do let your hand persecute, and do not inflict wrath upon the sons of the people, and love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." These citations are not accidental and because they are the basis of Jesus' comments, they should be the guideposts in our attempts to understand what's said and meant.

I bring this up, however, not only to help us understand Jesus' remarks but also to push back against the context suggested by Kantrowitz. She begins her post by positing a Roman context. To be fair, I'd like to cite the first half of her post here:

In Jesus’ time, the nation of Israel was under Roman rule. The Israelites were allowed to live there and practice their faith for the most part, but they had to pay taxes to Caesar and obey the Roman laws. To the Israelites, the Romans were evil and ungodly. They had no place ruling over God’s chosen people in God’s chosen nation. That land had been promised to Moses and his descendants when God brought them out of Egypt. Their very presence in the land was blasphemous. One of the Roman laws stated that any man could be required to drop what he was doing and carry a Roman soldier’s equipment for him for up to a mile. In the sermon on the mount, with his followers gathered around him, Jesus referenced that law and told his followers what they should do in that case: “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” ~Matthew 5:41

Kantrowitz is correct, in Jesus' time, Rome was in power and taxes were owed. However, the comment about obedience to Roman is not completely accurate for some religio-legal exceptions were granted to Jewish folks (e.g. See the Edict of Claudius mentioned in Petronius, Letter to Dora 19.304). Further, it is also not entirely accurate to suggest that all Jews/Israelites viewed the Romans as "evil and ungodly." A number of examples could be provided to show positive relationships and attempts at strategic relationships between Jews and Romans. (For more on this see HERE, for example.) Yes, of course, tensions did exist; animus was at work in various ways at various times. But what I'm really driving at here is that the main backdrop of Mt 5:38-41, or the whole Sermon on the Mount for that matter, is not propaganda against the Roman military, although the Roman soldier "may" be in view in 5:41, or powers-that-be. As I alluded to above, Jesus' main point of reference is the OT.

When Jesus references Lamentations it is on purpose; the overall context of Lam 3 is appropos. In Lam 3 we find the poet, at least for the first half of the lament (1-25), reflecting on the pain that has befallen him (as a microcosm of the nation) due to rejection of God. Yet, at 26, things turn. The poet realizes the error of his ways and from there on realizes the need to turn back to God; he values the deep and abiding patience of God. He recalls a previous time when he turned and then returned, whereafter he experienced God's graciousness. Even more, God worked in his favor and this is what he wants again; he prays that God would show up and overturn his enemies. Using court language and imagery, he prays that God would rule against the injustices inflicted by his enemies and in his favor.

I think this is important to consider because in the context of Mt 5:38-42, the context is also one of injustice. We see an unjust slap, an unjust robbing of clothing (which, by the way, would have left the person naked and thus, shamed), and an unjust force of walking a mile likely carrying heavy equipment. There may also be the unjust borrowing, that is taking-without-repaying, of money. The recurring theme, as we can see, is injustice. Jesus calls his disciples to endure the injustice inflicted upon them. Yet, this is not merely any injustice; rather, it is injustice endured for the sake of the Gospel.

And when I bear this in mind, this is precisely where I have another issue with Kantrowitz's commentary. She says:

Go with them two miles. That was not the advice that most of the people in the crowd that day had been hoping for. That was not the conclusion that they would have come to on their own, following this man that they hoped would lead them to victory over the Romans. That was certainly not respecting their religious beliefs — go with them two! What if their neighbors saw! What if seeing them carrying the Roman’s equipment caused other Jews to think the Roman oppression was okay? What if there was other work that needed to be done — good work, charity work even, but they spent all that time carrying equipment for the evil oppressor? But Jesus is not worried about any of that.

Do you see what just happened here? Do you see the homiletic switch embedded in these comments that twists the meaning of the passage? Let me point it out; it is right when she says: "...go with them two! What if their neighbors saw!" You see, if and when some Jewish person were forced to carry a Roman soldier's luggage, the thought on their minds wasn't, "I hope a neighbor doesn't see me...I'll be so embarrassed." That wasn't the hangup! What we have, rather, are accounts of some Jews being told by soldiers to carry their luggage on the Sabbath, which, of course, was a violation of their religious beliefs and practices (see the later Tos. Hag. 2). Of course, Jesus came from a Jewish line as did most, if not all, of The Twelve. Yet, the reason Jesus can say "go ahead and walk two miles on the Sabbath" to his disciples is because they are no longer bound to the Jewish Sabbath days. Thus, this is not a violation of Sabbath, even though it may be a personal injustice against them. In the midst of this personal injustice, they are not to retaliate with force. What they can do, as they walk, however, is continue sharing their faith. In fact, two miles may be advantageous because it gives them more time and opportunity to share. The one walking and sharing should have confidence that, like the lamenter, God can work in his (and their) favor.

This also means that Kantrowitz's comment "What if seeing them carrying the Roman’s equipment caused other Jews to think the Roman oppression was okay?" is rather moot. If a Jew were observing another Jew, they surely wanted have viewed the injustice against their fellow Jew okay. Further, they wouldn't have thought the Jewish person wanted to break the Sabbath to make a point that Romans are good. This is simply a homiletic sleight of hand that completely ignores the context.

The same is true of her next comment: "What if there was other work that needed to be done — good work, charity work even, but they spent all that time carrying equipment for the evil oppressor? But Jesus is not worried about any of that." As for other work needing to be done, Jews would not have done it on the Sabbath. And it is certainly a big rhetorical leap to try to pit charity work against carrying Roman luggage! If one were "forced" to do it, they had no "choice" in the matter, essentially. Charity work is a choice. The rhetoric here is setting up a false dichotomy. The point Kantrowitz is attempting to make is: Christians need to get busy doing charity work instead of talking about homosexuality because "But Jesus is not worried about any of that." Yet, this, too, is a sleight of hand and rhetorical exaggeration. Jesus is obviously concerned about something, otherwise he wouldn't be talking! And to suggest that because Jesus may be recorded as talking about one thing more than the other does not mean he had (and still has) no concern about the lesser thing spoken of; indeed, all it means is that we have contexts where one issue was talked about less than an other. Further, it is not logical at all to suggest that because there are big issues in the world that need dealt with, all the seemingly smaller ones should be shrugged off! I mean, try paying only your big bills while neglecting your smaller ones and see how that goes for you! The creditors won't like it! No, we must maintain that dealing with both seemingly large issues and small issues is needed. Additionally, what may appear to be a "small" or "minor" issue to one person, may, in fact, be a larger issue to others. You can't simply presume that because something seems more minor to you that it is to others, or that one should "not be worried about any of that." By the way, Jesus did talk about homosexuality. Among other places, see HERE.

But back to the text now. Above I noted that Lev 19:18 was also in the background of Jesus' comments. Actually, much of Leviticus is in mind in Mt 5-7. Yet, the point of this particular referent is, as noted above, not to resort to revenge. Jesus' disciples, when met with injustice, are not to retaliate with force. In fact, the choice not to react with revenge is itself a means of peaceful non-violent retaliation. Showing the grace of the Gospel while under injustice is a means of non-violent retaliation. Sharing the Gospel to one's persecutors is a means of non-violent retaliation. So, Jesus isn't telling his followers that retaliation is forbidden; in fact, retaliation against injustice is very Christian if one does it non-violently and out of a place of perfect heart disposition (this perfect heart disposition towards God and others is what is alluded to, by the way, in Mt 5:48). Jesus himself retaliated against injustice with this type of action, as did Paul. Their retaliation wasn't to simply submit and shut up, no, it was to react by sharing the Good News in the face of persecution!

And, personally, that's where I think the argument by Kantrowitz suffers the most...it totally misses this point! In homiletical fashion, she says:

Christians, our Jesus said, “Go with them two.”

If you believe gay marriage is immoral (I don’t, myself) and a gay couple comes into your shop and asks you to bake a cake for their wedding, what should you do? If God causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the wedding days of straight and gay couples, then what is our responsibility? If it is against the law to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation, but you believe strongly that their lifestyle is immoral, what should you do?

Well, the cards are on the table now as the homosexualist hermeneutic is exposed: "If you believe gay marriage is immoral (I don’t, myself)..." After this litany of rhetorical questions expecting the answer "I should submit to the gay couple's demands," she forces the hand of the reader by saying that you are a) breaking the law, and b) discriminating, if you don't violate your conscience and do what they want you to. I don't expect most to see the rhetorical moves being made here as they're rather faint and it takes some careful looking...something many are won't to do. Just realize that now you're being discriminated against if you don't agree with the point being made, that is, you're being labeled a law breaker and a bigot (discriminator). Nevermind the fact that you're being discriminated against in this post, and nevermind the fact that the homosexualists are discriminating against you, nevermind any of that because, after all, as one of Jesus' own, he probably wouldn't worry about such things, right?

You see, there's a difference in holding firm while being discriminated against for the sake of the Gospel and, in the midst of that discrimination, throwing off one's beliefs and caving in to the pressure. There's a huge difference, in fact!.If a Christian business owner is discriminated against for refusing to bake a cake for gay weddings, it is one thing if that Christian holds firm to their convictions and shares the Gospel truth in the process. Yet, it is another thing if, in the midst of that discrimination they violate their conscience and cave in. Thus, it is also very problematic when she says this:

Christians, our Jesus said, “Go with them two.”

If you are wondering if it is worth being sued and losing your business to stand up for what you believe is right, if you miss the look of hurt in the couple’s eyes when you refuse them and only see an angry, media-driven, ACLU-led mob attacking the small business owner who is only standing up for what you believe in, what should you do?

So, as a Christian, is Jesus calling you to willingly lose your whole livelihood to help out the homosexualists agenda? That's what's implied here! Do you want to live in fear of being sued? No? Then support the agenda! Do you want to hurt that gay couple's feelings, even if only for a moment, knowing that if you do they'll turn around and tear you down for a lifetime? No? Of course, Jesus wasn't worried about such things? Right?!? Well, she's not done:

Christians, our Jesus said, “Go with them two.”

Jesus said, not only should you follow the law of the land — the law which in America for the most part prohibits discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation — not only should you do the minimum you have to do, you should go the extra mile. (Yes, that’s where that expression comes from!) Do *twice* what the law requires.

Oh my! The argument has gone off the rails here, I think! Do you see the issue? The "Law" Jesus supposedly talked about is now being equated with "the law of the land," that is, the law in America, a law which now prohibits discrimination against gay people! Do I even really need to make the point that this is incredibly anachronistic? Really, do I? Do I need to make the point that to equate ancient Jewish Law with modern American Law is terribly problematic? And do I really need to make the point that again, I thought she said Jesus wasn't concerned about such things?!? No friends, rest assured, Jewish Law is not equivalent to American Law and in Christian theology and practice, the mentality has always been that if the state issues forth a law that violates your conscience or belief, you don't adhere to it! And do I need to point out, once more, that while not discriminating against gay people is the talk of the day, the folks who often speak most about this completely miss the fact that or are okay with Christians (and folks of other religious persuasions) are being discriminated against?

So, in a complete turn of events, in a complete twisting and reorienting of this passage, she concludes:

If someone forces you to bake a cake for a gay wedding, bake for them two. Christians, our Jesus said to not only follow the law, but to rise to a higher standard of love. Christians should be the FIRST people baking cakes — for everyone who asks us. We should be known for our cake baking. People should be saying, “There go those crazy Christians again, baking cakes for everyone. They just won’t quit!” Then, when we share the reason for our wild, all-inclusive love, people will want to hear it. “Let your light shine before others,” said Jesus, “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

SMH. Now, now we have moved to the full-on celebration of the homosexualist agenda. We, of all people, should be celebrating this thing that many of us see as deeply incompatible with historic, orthodox Christianity, the most. We are celebrating "our wild, all-inclusive love..." that folks will want to hear about. The problem with this is that Christianity is not simply inclusive and never has been. Christianity has always been at one and the same time inclusive and exclusive. And the mindset has always been: "You can come as you are, but you can't stay that way." No, we don't stamp sin good and celebrate it; instead, we look at it in the face and retaliate non-violently against the injustice it brings; we do that by preaching the Gospel. Celebrating sin is not a good deed that glorifies our Father in heaven; rather, it makes a mockery of the very thing he sent his Son to do. But she continues:

Christians, when we dig our heels in and insist on our right to discriminate, we are hurting people — we are hurting so many people, so deeply. Behind the ACLU and the liberal media are real people, who have been hurt again and again in the name of Christ. Christians, you and I have hurt them. I know most of us have really good intentions, but we are making Jesus the last thing they want to hear about. If we “snatch one person from the fire” by refusing to condone behavior we believe is immoral, but send hundreds and thousands of others fleeing churches and Christianity entirely, what have we really accomplished? Someone else will make that cake and fewer and fewer people will look to Christianity for love and hope. We will have won a battle that we were never called to fight in the first place, but lost the war.

Once again, nevermind the fact that Christians are being hurt and discriminated against. Nevermind the fact that others are digging their heels in to make this discrimination against Christians possible. Nevermind that these are real people, real Christians who have lost their livelihoods. Nevermind any of that!!! Forget it all...Jesus isn't worried about that. Nope, he's not worried about his own! Oh how sad this trope is! And how sad it is that the NT has been so twisted that condoning sin is now being promoted...in the name of being relevant. You see, the drive for cultural relevance is often what fuels the full-on march towards heresy. It's always been that way! But, just to assure you that she views herself as standing in the ranks of orthodox Christianity, Kantrowitz leaves these as her parting words: "Happy Easter, friends! The tomb is empty! Christ is risen!" Yes, she is certainly right about this claim; yet, one is left wondering if that's really all that relevant culturally, because, after all, if Christ is indeed risen and we go on sinning, and promoting/condoning sin, then that resurrection really isn't that relevant...even in clever and catchy memes and blog post titles.

3/26/15

For those who follow this blog, I wanted to give an update on three upcoming conference presentations I'll be giving in April (2015). Two of them are in Indiana and one of them is in Kentucky. I have included the titles and locations below.

"All The Small Things: Some Thoughts on the Usefulness of Rod Decker's Baylor Handbooks"

(NB: I'll be both presenting and chairing the Scholar's Roundtable where, as a sort of tribute and scholarly discussion combined, we'll be considering the late Rod Decker's two volumes on Mark's Gospel in the Baylor Handbook series. This will take place at the Annual Meeting of the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference, Indianapolis (Apr., 10, 2015)).

2/27/15

In today's edition of the Review of Biblical Literature, my book, Entering the Fray: A Primer on New Testament Issues for the Church and Academy, received an outstanding review. This is especially encouraging since, in certain circles on the internet, arguments have been raging about so-called "evangelical scholarship" and its value (or lack thereof) in the scholarly realm. Here's the final paragraph from the review but if you want to read the entire thing click HERE:

"Halcomb seeks to provide an accessible entry into an extensive, not comprehensive, array of issues debated in the field of New Testament studies. He did so in the hope of bridging the gap between scholarly conversation and church devotion. Halcomb succeeded. The book is understandable, to be sure. More than this, however, the book is inviting, respectful, and open. Finding texts that open up an already-intimidating scholarly world to those with little to no prior knowledge of biblical scholarship, much less any understanding of how that scholarship relates to conceptions of themselves as persons of faith, is difficult. Halcomb’s work is important on that front alone. In addition, Entering the Fray portrays scholarship at its best. Without becoming bogged down in the unnecessarily controversial, Halcomb shows the reader how biblical scholarship is an essential conversation partner with the church."